Pocket Pal

Pocket Pal turns up as one of Futurama's small, disposable gag characters — a tiny voiced object dropped into a scene for a joke rather than a saga. It exists mostly to chirp, react, or annoy, giving the show a quick laugh before vanishing back into the background of the 31st century.

The charm is entirely in the delivery. Tress MacNeille, one of animation's great utility voices, gives even a passing bit of business a distinct, squeaky personality, the kind of throwaway performance that makes Futurama's background gags feel as considered as its main cast.